Trouble getting some speed on the ball

[Drano]

I recently learned that I've been muscling the ball, and I've been trying to convert to a free arm-swing. The problem is that my speed is only around 14-15 mph with the free arm swing, and I've been trying to get it up to 16-17, but I can't figure it out.

What could I try to work on to increase my ball speed while still maintaining the free swing?

I'm trying to increase my speed for the increased pin carry, as well as to calm down my ball's hook. I get a lot of hand on the ball and when I throw it only 13-14, I end up hooking the whole lane....

Thanks

[Podunkparte]

Interesting question. First of all what have you tried already?

I've heard of starting with a higher ball position to give you a little more of a backswing, creating more speed and carry. Maybe starting your swing and downswing a little earlier in your approach would create a little more power on your shot?

Good luck

[Drano]

I've already tried both making my swing start earlier, and holding the ball higher. (I had to start the swing earlier anyway, as I realized I had early timing after converting to a free swing, and starting it earlier got my timing back in sync).

I've also tried walking faster, ala Rhino Page, starting the swing early then catching up to it with fast footwork.

I was planning on trying to take bigger steps next time I go down to practice.

I've been watching guys like Mike Machuga, Fagan, and Norm Duke but I'm still not sure how they get their speed up.


edit: I currently use a five-step approach, I've been considering trying a six-step. And my back-swing is already pretty high - maybe a foot above shoulder level

[Podunkparte]

I use a 6 step but I only throw about 14.5-15 mph. Your backswing sounds very high. Maybe that's actually cutting down on the momentum, having to travel so far forward. Just brainstorming really.

My best advice would be to find a good coach to actually watch and make suggestions.

[Strike Domination]

I've heard the cadence should be slow, slow, quick, quick, slide. So if you aren't doing that maybe give it a shot. Maybe switch up the method of your push away. Personally that cadence doesn't seem to work for me, my approach feels like more of a 5-step sprint. But I'm never able to throw faster than 17 mph if that.

[Drano]

I've heard the cadence should be slow, slow, quick, quick, slide. So if you aren't doing that maybe give it a shot. Maybe switch up the method of your push away. Personally that cadence doesn't seem to work for me, my approach feels like more of a 5-step sprint. But I'm never able to throw faster than 17 mph if that.

I hadn't heard of that but after looking at some of my recent videos, my footwork seems to be in that order, slow, a little slower, quick, quicker, slide.

[Jord_84]

I use a free arm swing and adjust my speed by how high I hold the ball. Hip height for a slower speed, chest height to speed things up.

[DanielMareina]

Having a free arm swing doesn't mean that you can't use any muscle. The key is to help gravity, not fight it. If you want to speed up your shot, while the ball is falling in the first part of your swing, assist gravity in your backswing. This is hard to do at first without muscling the ball, but the key is to pull the ball back just a little faster than gravity does and then let it fall back down by itself. When you get used to this, you will be able to also increase the downswing a little also without over doing it. 14-15 miles per hour is a little slow if you put a lot of hook on it, but you won't need to get more than another mile per hour faster to see the benefit. As for the pros that you are watching, Michael Fagan is not one I would recommend. He has a very unique style, and it probably would not benefit most people to try and replicate it. I hope this all helps a little. Good luck and good bowling!

Daniel Mareina
Storm Staff Member
Bowling Center Manager/Pro Shop Operator/Bowling Coach

[Beech]

i went from throwing 20mph to 17-18 mph with bending my knee more. i know a lot of people who use there backswing and gravity to get there ball speed up and moving the ball a little faster on the downswing is really all ive heard but its a weird adjusment going down in speed.

[mrbill]

I have been trying for months to slow down my walk/swing I do carry better when my rocket ball hits the pocket but My aim is so much better when I'm slow and mindfull.

I noticed when I come from behind the ball and releace from the inside of the ball useing my ring finger, the ball has more forward roll and go's faster down the lane...

[Drano]

Having a free arm swing doesn't mean that you can't use any muscle. The key is to help gravity, not fight it. If you want to speed up your shot, while the ball is falling in the first part of your swing, assist gravity in your backswing. This is hard to do at first without muscling the ball, but the key is to pull the ball back just a little faster than gravity does and then let it fall back down by itself. When you get used to this, you will be able to also increase the downswing a little also without over doing it. 14-15 miles per hour is a little slow if you put a lot of hook on it, but you won't need to get more than another mile per hour faster to see the benefit. As for the pros that you are watching, Michael Fagan is not one I would recommend. He has a very unique style, and it probably would not benefit most people to try and replicate it. I hope this all helps a little. Good luck and good bowling!

Daniel Mareina
Storm Staff Member
Bowling Center Manager/Pro Shop Operator/Bowling Coach

I wasn't watching them(fagan) to replicate them really, but more of to try to find out how they get their speed up without muscling it...

And if what you say is true, then I wasn't really completely muscling the ball... A little 'help' isn't really considered muscling the ball then?

[Strike Domination]

I think it's okay to give it a little push at the bottom of your swing. And sometimes it's also okay to pull down after push away to help gravity. As long as you can keep good timing and balance, I don't se these as a problem.

The only other thing that I think you could try for the heck of it, is to speed up your feet a little. I think you'd have to move back on the approach a few inches though.

[DanielMareina]

Muscling the ball is a term used when people really torque their body and arm to accelerate the ball. This usually results in bad balance, dropping of the shoulder, and inconsistencies in both speed and accuracy. The key to adding speed is to keep your form and balance the same as if you were not adding the power, but still accelerate your ball speed. Usually that will involve shortening your steps or speeding them up to match the increase in swing speed. Keeping a straight arm, good posture, good balance, and consistency can all be had while increasing ball speed. I am not saying that it is easy though. It took me a lot of time to be consistent while switching speeds.